EILIDH DOYLE will lead Scotland into the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games after being chosen as the team's flag bearer.

The Pitreavie AAC star was chosen in a vote by her fellow Team Scotland athletes and will make history by becoming the first female to carry the saltire into a Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Doyle, 31, was selected ahead of shooter Jen McIntosh and lawn bowls pair Alex Marshall and Paul Foster for the role at the ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday morning at the Carrara Stadium on the Australian Gold Coast.

Multiple Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth medal-winning athlete Eilidh, who won silver medals at the 2010 and 2014 Games in the 400 metre hurdles, will take to the track fresh from winning a World Indoor Championships 400m bronze last month - her first individual global medal.

She became Scotland's most decorated track and field athlete last summer by winning 4x400m relay silver at the 2017 World Championships in London, in which she also captained the Great Britain team.

Speaking to Team Scotland's website, Eilidh said: "This is just such a huge honour.

"I was really chuffed to have been nominated but to actually be voted to carry the flag is something else.

"It is also very special that I will be the first female to carry the flag. I am very proud to represent women in sport and I am a very patriotic Scot, so to step out and wave the saltire will be an amazing feeling!"

Eilidh was presented with the flag in front of her fellow athletes, team officials and supporters by Minister for Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP, who said: "To be selected as your country’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games is a great honour, but also recognition of that athlete’s achievements and the respect they have from their fellow team members.

"I am delighted for Eilidh who is a very popular member of the team, and I am sure she will do her country proud when she leads out Team Scotland at the opening ceremony on Wednesday."

Paul Bush OBE, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added: "The announcement of the team flag bearer is a special occasion, signaling the end of our preparation and the final countdown to what we hope will be our most successful ever overseas Games.

"Eilidh embodies everything Team Scotland stands for as a proud, ambitious and inspirational leader; and the experience she has gathered throughout her illustrious career makes her the perfect candidate to lead us out into the Games Opening Ceremony."

The opening ceremony begins at 10.30am on Wednesday, with competition starting on Thursday.

As well as Doyle, other West Fifers competing at the Games include cyclist Eileen Roe and lawn bowls' Sarah Jane Ewing.

Retired Dunfermline cycle star Charline Joiner will also be at the Games, working alongside Barbados' Amber Joseph as a coach.